WARRANTY - Anodised Finish - Stone Chips On Back Wheel

[BlackRockFox]

I have had a DL650XT for about 21 months. I recently noticed "marks" on the back wheel that would not clean off.
I took it to my dealer and was told that it was stone chips. They tried to get it sorted under warranty but Suzuki have refused.

The chips are mostly on the chain side of the back wheel, so it looks like the chain is picking up stuff and then it is flung onto the back wheel.
I have told the dealer that I am not happy about this as the finish is not fit for purpose. It must be too soft if it is damaged that easily.
I can accept the occasional chip, but this is happening every time I ride and there are quite a lot of these chips. (No chip jokes please)
In 50 years of biking I have never had this problem before.

The dealer has advised me to try customer services first and then go back to them, if no luck.

Has anyone else had this problem as Suzuki (and other manufacturers) seem to be selling more and more bikes with these anodised wheels?

Thanks

[Upt North]

Stone Chips?
Are you sure that's what they are. Seems an odd place to pick up stonechips. I haven't got spoked wheels so I can't check mine but I'm sure others will.
Could it be damage caused by solvent fling from the chain lube? The solvent then eating into the anodised finish.
If it is Indeed stone chips then I don't think any manufacturer would replace under warranty.
Upt'North.

[BlackRockFox]

Thanks for the quick reply, may be useful

No, I am not sure that it is stone chips, it is difficult to see even close up.
It could possibly be solvent but not sure what as I only use vaseline and grease and WD40 on the chain.
Maybe a solvent used to clean the chain at the dealers when serviced.

[Whiterose]

If the damge is on the surface, try something like Autosol to remove the marks

[Steve T]

Or you could just get a suitably coloured permanent marker pen 

Just saying

[Upt North]

I'd be very careful using anything too aggressive to try and clean the surface. Start on one area with something like WD40 and a fairly non aggressive cloth. If that doesn't work try car wax or T-Cut, but again be careful, I don't know how thick that anodise will be. It should be just fine, but baby steps would be good.
If one product doesn't work just try another gentle offering, so if WD40 does nowt try all surface furniture polish etc.
Upt'North.

[Brockett]

If you are going to pursue a claim then don't do anything that might further damage the surface. I would not apply any polish as polish removes the surface layer.

[TLPower]

I too really doubt they are stone chips, my spoked rear wheel has never suffered such a fate even after I painted over the original anodizing. Could it be a flaw in the anodizing?

[UK_Vstrom650]

I'm fairly certain Suzuki Customer Services will send you back to the dealer...

[Fat Rat]

I had this on my first ever DL1000, it was spots of what looked like corrosion under the finish, causing it to bubble.

The wheel was replaced under warranty.

[BlackRockFox]

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[BlackRockFox]

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[BlackRockFox]

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[BlackRockFox]

The dealer has advised me not to try cleaning with anything other than soapy water or WD40/G85 which I have done, all to no avail. Thanks for the replies, it is helping, even the marker suggestion 

[Fat Rat]

They do look like chips. The problem I had on the rear wheel of my 2006 DL1000 was larger bubbles/scabs in the finish.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Nail varnish is another option. Cyclists use that on frames etc

[Upt North]

Strange little marks aren't they. Still not sure they're stone chips.
How would stones get thrown onto the rim.
Maybe bits of grit thrown off the front wheel onto the chain and then in turn those flung against the rear wheel. Could the rear wheel throw them against the swingarm and then these could rebound onto the wheel.
Still don't see it. But I don't think they look like they'll polish out anyway.
But if the surface is that delicate it shouldn't be on a wheel.
Upt'North.

[BlackRockFox]

Just found this on an Africa Twin forum.
Looks very similar.